Bow sighting device



June 5, 1934 P. E. KLoPsTEG BOW SIGHTING DEVICE Filed Deo. 3, 1931 'Patented June s, 1934 AUNITED* STATES PATENT OFFICE n.202.' ED.

Application December 3, 1931, Serial No. 578,761

7 Claim. (Cl. 3346) The usual method of aiming arrows in targetl shooting with a bow consists of drawing the notched end of the arrow beneath the chin and sighting over the tip of the arrow at a pointof-aim, the location of which depends on the distance from the target. As afrule the pointof-aim for distances less than fifty or sixty yards is on the ground between the archer and the target. At large distances, say 100 yards. the point may be some distance above the target. It is evident that such sighting xes the initial angle, or angle of departure of the arrow from the bow so that the approximate parabolic path in which the arrow flies intersects the center of the target.

For a given bow, arrow and archer, there is some particular distance from the target at which the point-oI-aim is the exact point which the archer intends to hit. For all other distances, the point-of-aim is either above or below the target and it must be determined by trial shooting.

There are many disadvantages inherent in this method of aiming. For example, since the eye is focused upon a point more or less remote from the target, it is almost impossible for the archer to observe the ilight characteristics of his arrow. Furthermore, there is a tendency to look up from the point-of-aim before the loose which obviously affects the accuracy of sheeting. Other disadvantages could be mentioned, but it is believed that those vstated above are suiiicient to demonstrate the need for an improved method of aiming.

The present invention provides a device for sighting directly on the target at comparatively short ranges, and on a "point-of-aim" adjacent the target for longer ranges. In this way, the inherent disadvantages of indirect sighting as described above are obviated.

Further and other objects and advantages will become apparent as the disclosure proceeds and the description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of a fragment of a bow equipped with the sighting device of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 illustrates the use of the bow sight for relatively short ranges; and

Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the device for relatively long ranges.

But this specific illustration and the correspondingly specific description are for the purpose of disclosure only for it is realized that the invention may be variously embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

The bow sight, generally designated 10. is shown attached to a wooden self bow 11 by tightly bound cord 12. An arrow rest 13, preferably integral with the bow sight 10, is positioned adjacent the arrow inlay 14.

The bow sight comprises a vertical scale 15 riveted or otherwise secured to the angle brackets 16 and 17, the legs of which are firmly held against the front of the bow by the lacing 12.

A slide, generally designated 18, is telescopically mounted on the scale 15 and is provided with a clamping screw 19 adapted to hold the slide in anyv desired position along the scale. The body 20 of the slide is provided with an oval window 21 to expose the scale graduations. 'I'he edge ol.' the window may be provided with a Vernier 22 to increase the accuracy with which the slide may be adjusted.

A horizontal scale 23 is removably carried on the slide 18 by knurled screws 24. While the scale 23 in the present embodiment is shown projecting laterally from the slide in one direction only, it will be understood that the scale may be made to extend an equal distance on the opposite side for a purpose later to be explained.

A sighting index 25 telescopically'rides upon the scale 23 and may be held in desired position by a set screw 26. Like the slide 18, the member 25 may be provided with a Vernier, as at 27, i'n order to obtain greater accuracy of sight setting.

The sighting index per se preferably includes a peep-sight 28 with cross wires 29 intersecting at the center. To assist in aiming, the peep sight is given a diameter which will include the entire bull's-eye of the target and part of the adjacent ring at the shortest standard range distances, viz. approximately thirty yards.

Inasmuch as the bow is ordinarily vloosely gripped while making a shot, there is a tendency after release of the arrow for the bow todrop quickly downwardly with the result that the hand may receive a painful blow from the arrow rest 13. To avoid this possibility, a cushioned builer 30 may be provided below the arrow rest in order to absorb the shock of the loose.

The buffer 30 is shown as comprising a plate 31 formed as an integral part of the bracket 17 and is covered by a rubber guard 32 which constitutes the cushion.

Inasmuch as the arrow rest 13 is an integral part oi the bow sight, or at least maintains a iixed relation with respect to the vertical scale, it is possible i'or an archer to ascertain' the correct setting of the slide 18 for a. given range, and be assured that correct aim will be drawn at any subsequent time when the'range and sight setting are repeated. Of course, corrections for wind velocities, differences in arrows, etc. which are made on the horizontal scale,'will depend upon individual conditions. y

Referring to Fig. 3, there is illustrated an archers view of the bow and target, as seen when drawing aim. It will be understood that after several trial shootings, an archer will be able to determine the correct vertical adjustment of the sighting index for a given distance so that by setting the slide at the previously determined reading and making proper corrections for wind, etc. on the horizontal scale, he can then bring the cross wires 29 on the bulls eye by direct sighting and therby secure greater accuracy in shooting. This method of aiming permits the archer to observe the flight characteristics of his arrow without taking his eye off the target (except for long ranges) because the path of the arrow is always within the range of vision.

As the range is increased from that inferentially shown in Fig. 3, the correct position of the sighting index will be found to be lower and lower on the scale until finally, at some particular distance, it will have reached its lowest range of movement. Were it not for the fact that the hand which grasps the bow prevents direct sighting for still greater ranges, it would be possible to provide a depending index on the horizontal moving slide 25. However, since the hand obstructs a direct view of the target (A) for comparatively long ranges, as best shown in Fig. 4, it is necessary to reverse the horizontal scale and place it on the other side of the bow. A depending index then permits indirect sighting to be made on a pointof-aim alongside the target, such for example as a target (B) in an adjacent archery lane. By choosing a point-of-aim as near to the object of aim as possible, the advantage of being able to observe the arrow in flight is obviously obtained.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the slide 18 is provided with a pair of tapped holes 33. By removing the screws 24, the scale 23 can be transferred from the position shown in full lines (Fig. 2) to the position shown in dotted lines, as indicated at 34, the scale being held in horizontal position by screwing the knurled screws 24 into the tapped holes 33.

With the horizontal scale 23 fastened to the lower portion of the slide 18 and projecting to the right of the bow (Fig. 4), it is possible by the use of an elongated depending sighting index 35 to eiTect an indirect sighting on the target which, though not as satisfactory as direct sighting, is almost as effective. y

The sighting index 35 comprises a slide 36 similar to the slide 25 and may include a vernier 37. The index per se consists of an elongated rod having a point index 38 although it will be understood that a peep sight provided with cross wires may be employed, if desired.

It has already been mentioned that the scale 23 may be made of sufllcient length to extend an equal distance on opposite sides of the scale 15. .Such a, scalewould permit a short range index to be permanently mounted on one side thereor and a long range index to be mounted on the other side.

rlhe sighting index 35 is used in a manner similar to the short range index, that is, after a series of trial shootings, it is possible to ascertain the appropriate setting for the vertical and horizontal slides for given-distances, wind velocities, etc., and having once been ascertained, these settings when repeated will assure correct aim.

The effectiveness of the improved sighting device may be demonstrated by the fact that archers have been able to register nine or ten hits out of ten trys when using the sight, whereas they could formerly only register flve or six hits without the sight, at the same distance.

What I claim, therefore, is:

1. In a device of the class described, a self bow, a vertical scale adapted to be attached to one face of the bow, a slide adjustably mounted on the scale, a laterally projecting arm carried on the slide, and a sighting index on said arm.

2. In a device of the class described, a self bow,

a vertical scale adapted to be attached to one face of the bow, a slide adjustably mounted on the scale, a horizontal scale carried by the slide, and an adjustable sighting index on the horizontal scale.

3. In a device of the class described, a self bow, a vertical scale adapted to be attached to the front of the bow but spaced therefrom, a slide mounted on the scale and adapted to be clamped thereto at any given position thereon, a horizontal scale carried by the slide and projecting laterally from the bow, a sighting index slidable along the horizontal scale, and means for clamping the sighting index to the horizontal scale in selected position.

4, In a device of the class described, a self bow, a vertical scale adapted to be attached to one face of the bow, and a sighting index adjustable along the scale, and projecting laterally ofthe bow.

5. In a device of the class described, a self bow, a vertical scale adapted to be attached to one face of the bow, a Vernier slide mounted on the scale, means for clamping the slide to the scale in desired adjustment, a horizontal scale carried by the slide, and a sighting index adjustable along said horizontal scale.

6. In a. device of the class described, a bow,

a vertical scale fixed to the bow, a slide adjustably 1 7. A sighting device for self bows comprising a scale having inwardly bent ends, a slide mounted thereon, a laterally projecting arm carried by the slide, and an index on said arm.

PAUL E. KLOPSTEG. 

